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Frequently Asked Questions: Kolkata 1M/1M Entrepreneur Pitch-Fest Competition

 

Can you tell me more about the 1M/1M program?

  • For more information on the 1M/1M program go to 1M/1M.

 

Why was this competition program started?

  • The primary focus of this competition is to develop entrepreneurship in Bengal. Over the next year or so, we are seeking support from various corporate partners who are committed to the growth and prosperity of Bengal to develop a pipeline of 100-200 promising entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs will be incubated within the 1M/1M program – rigorously, methodically, consistently – with the goal of getting to significant, sustainable revenue and profitability levels.

 

What is the selection criteria and how many will be selected?

  • Up to 10 entrants will be selected to give a 5-minute pitch of their business idea at the Pitch-Fest Competition that will be held on November 1, 2012, at iLead in Kolkata, India. Six winners will be selected.
  • Selection criteria include:
  • Innovative Idea and Business Model Being Proposed
  • Individual’s background
  • The strategic vision and market viability of the idea
  • Ability of the participant to create and execute on the business idea

 

Will I get any assistance in preparing my business plan to pitch at the Roundtable if I am selected as a finalist?

  • You are responsible for submitting your business for consideration by answering the questions on the application. If you are chosen to pitch at the event, you will get instructions to pull together your five-minute pitch. The benefit to you, even if you’re not selected as a winner, is you will get an on-the-spot analysis of your project by Sramana Mitra, one of Silicon Valley’s top strategists, with suggestions about how to potentially increase your chances of success. Since this is event will be recorded and shared on Sramana’s blog, you will gain exposure to potential investors in the audience, and to the network audience that listens to the event live online or later to the recordings. Go here to listen to recordings of past roundtable events.

 

If I am selected as the one of the six winners, what will I receive?

  • A year of 1M/1M ongoing mentorship during weekly strategy roundtables.
  • Opportunity to study a unique curriculum designed to prevent mistakes, and potentially save time and money.
  • Chance to absorb the tribal knowledge of Silicon Valley through Sramana Mitra based on carefully analyzed case studies of hundreds of successful companies.
  • Introductions by Sramana Mitra to potential customers, partners, media, analysts, and investors among her extensive global network.

 

Kolkata 1M/1M Entrepreneur Pitch-Fest Competition

Application: Kolkata 1M/1M Entrepreneur Pitch-Fest Competition

 

 

Testimonials

“1Mby1M is a very helpful program, and Sramana is very well connected in the industry. When we were looking to talk to investors, Sramana introduced us to multiple investors, and also acted as an advisor helping us navigate complex term sheet clauses like tranche financing and liquidation preferences. 1Mby1M also helped us win the $40,000 Microsoft BizSpark Startup Challenge Grant by helping us refine our pitch, market sizing analysis, and other details. I would enthusiastically recommend the 1Mby1M program for first time entrepreneurs and technical founders who need help with understanding other aspects of running a business.”

Girish Mathrubootham,  Founder & CEO at Freshworks – Raised $484 Million in Funding and went Public on Nasdaq with a $10B+ Valuation

“Working with the 1Mby1M team is perhaps one of the best decisions I’ve made on the spur of the moment. I was tracking 1Mby1M for a while and used to get their e-newsletter. I was always cynical about the pay to play model in the Bay Area. I tested the model quite late in our evolution on a whim and was surprised by everything. It was the best $1000 spent. I would strongly urge founders who are at the ideation stage to sign up – you will save yourself a lot of time, trouble and resources. Through 1Mby1M, I was introduced to Warren Weiss, a renowned former sales executive who worked with Steve Jobs at NeXT, and is now a successful VC in Silicon Valley.”

Dharmesh Singh,  Co-founder and CEO, Fullcast - Raised $4 Million in Series A Funding

“I joined the 1Mby1M Premium program in 2020 and had a very good experience interacting with Sramana. Her inputs during the private roundtable sessions added a lot of value; she addressed the exact objectives I had. She also made a number of valuable introductions. Overall, the program had a very positive influence on our journey.”

Abinash Saikia,  Co-founder of EnCloudEn, Acquired by Quantum Corporation in 2021

“The 1Mby1M program has been a phenomenal help to us. Within days of joining, Sramana introduced us to some key folks in the industry and helped open new doors for us. Her advice is real, focused, and actionable. I would highly encourage entrepreneurs, especially first-time entrepreneurs, to leverage the program. Many thanks for all the help, support and mentorship through the years.”

Vikrant Mathur,  Co-Founder at Future Today

“Working with Sramana Mitra and the 1Mby1M Premium program has been invaluable for Adya as a bootstrapped company to better understand how to best position the product and the company while working within constraints. Sramana has a very fresh perspective that promotes bootstrapped startups making slow, steady progress while rejecting the need for institutional investments. This also makes companies better targets for acquisitions. Thanks to her introductions, we were able to pitch Adya to the right companies at the senior executive levels. This led to, I am happy to say, an acquisition of Adya by Qualys! Without Sramana, this happy outcome would likely not have happened.”

Deepak Balakrishna,  Co-Founder and CEO, Adya (Acquired by Qualys)